Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the mission by the United Nations Human Rights Commission to Cote d'Ivoire at the end of December 2002, and recent reports by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees of large numbers of internally displaced people fleeing the conflicts in both Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia, they consider that the situation in the region amounts to an overwhelming humanitarian crisis.

Baroness Amos: Latest reports from the UN estimate that at least 250,000 people have fled Cote d'Ivoire to neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso, and another 600,000 are internally displaced. The renewed conflict in Liberia has caused many Liberians and Sierra Leonean refugees to cross into Sierra Leone and Guinea. In response to the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire, the Department for International Development has provided around £1 million to humanitarian operations through ICRC and the NGO Merlin as well as 2,000 tents, 30,000 blankets and 200 rolls of plastic sheeting to boost UNHCR's regional stockpile in Accra. There is a risk that there could be a rapid deterioration in the situation affecting large numbers of people, and we are therefore continuing to monitor developments closely in consultation with international agencies, including the UN. We are also working closely with others in the international community to support regional efforts to implement the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. In this context, the UK Government have provided £2 million to support deployment of the Ghanaian contingent of the ECOWAS peace-keeping force.

Criminal Records Bureau: Unpublished Information

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4 February (WA19–20), whether the Answer given on that date concerning the legal jurisdiction under which information held by or on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau is held would have been completely accurate on 10 December 2002, the day on which that Question was tabled; and
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4 February (WA19–20), what are the names of all companies to which work on the processing of data held by or on half of the Criminal Records Bureau has been contracted or sub-contracted; and
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4 February (WA19–20), why information is being processed on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau on the Indian sub-continent; and
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4 February (WA19–20), whether the pay and conditions of work of persons on the Indian sub-continent handling information held by or on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau are in accordance with the United Kingdom and European Union legislation on minimum pay and standards on employment.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: It has at all times been the intention that, in terms of data protection, security and other aspects, the arrangements for processing data should entail no material increase to the risk of misuse of data. Consequently, before agreement was given for any data to be processed in India, the site was visited by senior officials from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), who were fully satisfied that this was the case. The main CRB contract (signed in August 2000) requires that the CRB's private sector partner, Capita, and any sub-contractor of Capita, must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998; and that Capita may not enter into a sub-contracting arrangement without the permission of the CRB. The agreement between Capita and Hays Commercial Services Ltd, the sub-contractor undertaking this work on the Indian sub-continent, makes it clear that the provisions of English law apply. This was clarified in January this year by a variation of the original terms in order to make explicit Hays's obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.
	This arrangement has proved highly effective in enabling large numbers of paper application forms to be processed with timely, efficient and accurate data capture and eliminating backlogs from this critical stage of the CRB process.
	Non-EU countries are free to determine their own employment laws, having regard as necessary to obligations which would flow from membership of organisations such as the International Labour Organisation. I understand that the conditions and benefits offered by Hays are considered among the most attractive in the region, and that the salaries are well above the local average and in the upper quartile for the industry.

Criminal Records Bureau: Unpublished Information

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why it took them eight weeks to give their Answer on 4 February (WA 19) to Lord Tebbit's Question of 10 December 2002 concerning the Criminal Records Bureau.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The noble Lord's initial Question caused us to seek clarification of the contractual provisions between Capita and Hays Commercial Service Ltd by including a specific reference that data processing is to be performed in accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998. It is very much regretted that, as a result, the noble Lord did not receive an earlier reply to his original Question.

Race Equality Strategy

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the race equality strategy which is being developed in the Home Office.

Lord Filkin: The Home Office is working with other government departments to develop a cross-government strategy for delivering improvements in race equality over the next three years. The strategy is being further developed for wider consultation and publication later in the year.

Affordable Housing Schemes

Lord Jordan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What transitional arrangements will be offered for affordable housing schemes following the abolition of local authority social housing grant in April.

Lord Rooker: LASHG was an unfair funding mechanism that did not allocate funds to areas of greatest need, consistently underspent nationally and gave unfair advantage to debt-free local authorities.
	As part of the measures outlined in Sustainable Communities: building for the future, we have decided to abolish LASHG to allow a more strategic use of resources. The change is to take effect from 1 April 2003.
	We understand the concerns that have been raised over the timing of this change and recognise the difficulties this is causing for the planning of schemes coming forward over the next few months. However, it would be indefensible to retain the current arrangements at a time when there are pressing housing priorities that are not getting sufficient funding.
	We are also clear that there should be no hiatus in housing investment. We are therefore putting in place transitional arrangements to cover schemes that could have gone ahead in 2003–04 if we had continued with a £500 million provision for LASHG.
	The transitional arrangements will be as follows:
	for debt-free authorities, provision will be increased from £175 million to £275 million; the money will be allocated by the Housing Corporation direct to the RSL;
	for with-debt authorities, revenue support of up to £11 million will be provided to compensate them for the loss of investment income (at an interest rate of 4 per cent) they would have expected on repayments from the Housing Corporation for schemes supported by their own resources; this will fund up to a further £275 million of investment in 2003–04; this money will be paid through a special grant under Section 88b of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
	These arrangements will cover schemes which will have already started by 31 March 2003. We are also extending the deadline for submitting bids for new schemes to the Housing Corporation for three months to 30 June 2003 provided that schemes have planning permission, are approvable and are programmed to draw down the start-on-site tranche of grant by the end of January 2004. We do however need to ensure that the funding limits are not exceeded. If the total claims submitted by 30 June exceed the money available, the Housing Corporation will prioritise schemes with the government offices in terms of their contribution to the regional housing priorities.
	Transitional funding will therefore support investment in housing of up to £550 million. This is an increase of £50 million on the provision for LASHG in 2002–03 and is higher than in any previous year. It is fully in line with the measures we have set out in the Sustainable Communities Plan to increase substantially the resources made available for delivering sustainable communities for everyone.

Service Personnel: Vaccination

Lord Swinfen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether servicemen in the Gulf and neighbouring countries, and those being sent to that region, are being offered multiple or combined inoculations; and whether the servicemen are asked to sign a disclaimer to the effect that if they suffer any illness in the future that may be attributed to such inoculations they will not claim compensation.

Lord Bach: All service personnel are routinely offered a range of vaccinations to protect against disease. These include public health vaccinations and vaccinations for those in special occupational risk groups. Vaccinations are also offered to service personnel deploying to areas with specific health hazards and to protect personnel against the effects of biological weapons.
	In accordance with NHS guidelines, a number of public health vaccinations may be administered at the same time, some in combination. This is not unusual. However, by offering public health vaccinations to service personnel on recruitment, with boosters at appropriate intervals thereafter, the need to administer several vaccinations or boosters immediately before a deployment can be avoided. Nevertheless, boosters or additional vaccinations may be unavoidable at the time of a deployment or in an emergency. This is the case for anyone travelling overseas at short notice. In such circumstances, full account is taken of any other treatment or medication that an individual might be receiving at the time. This is balanced against the risk of contracting the disease during deployment.
	There is no requirement for service personnel who are offered a vaccination to sign any waivers or disclaimers. All vaccinations are administered on a voluntary basis. As part of individuals giving their informed consent to receive a vaccination, they are advised of the consequences of their refusal and of any possible side-effects of the vaccine. Units may, if required, maintain administrative records of which personnel have received the necessary briefings or need to be re-offered boosters. None of these records constitutes a legal waiver or disclaimer.

Defence Medical Services: Blood Stocks

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there will be sufficient blood stocks available at field hospitals if the United Kingdom should enter the Gulf theatre of battle.

Lord Bach: The provision of blood and blood products to the Armed Forces is the responsibility of the Defence Medical Supplies Agency, which obtains all necessary requirements from the National Blood Service in England. Arrangements are in place to ensure that all anticipated requirements will be met. In extremis, the Defence Medical Services has a limited capability to draw blood from soldiers in theatre. No decision to commence military action has been made.

Titan and Trojan

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What orders have been placed for the Titan bridgelayer and the Trojan obstacle remover; when they will come into service; what are their anticipated in-service lives; how they will be allocated to units; and what capabilities they will replace.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence has ordered 33 Trojan and 33 Titan vehicles. We currently forecast that they will enter service in October 2005. A 25- year in-service life is planned.
	Trojan and Titan will be assigned to Royal Engineer close support regiments. Vehicles will also be permanently assigned to the Army Training and Recruitment Agency (ATRA), the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster and the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) to facilitate both individual and collective training.
	Trojan will replace the Chieftain armoured vehicle Royal Engineers (ChAVRE) and Titan the Chieftain armoured vehicle launcher Bridge (ChAVLB).

Defence Research Programme

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for the future management of the defence research programme.

Lord Bach: The defence research community has been subject to major change in recent years. The public private partnership arrangements for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, which led to the formation of QinetiQ, and the establishment within the Ministry of Defence of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, coupled with a move towards increased competition in contracting for defence research, have required a major change in the management of the defence research programme.
	A review of science and technology in defence, commissioned in 2000 by the Ministry of Defence's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Keith O'Nions, recommended the establishment of a new research management organisation to meet these challenges. This new organisation, called the Research Acquisition Organisation (RAO), comprising up to 80 technical and support staff, will be responsible for formulating a coherent research programme, drawing together the many requirements from across the Ministry of Defence, determining optimum procurement strategies and placing appropriate contracts.
	The majority of staff working in this organisation are currently located in two Ministry of Defence buildings in Central London (Northumberland Avenue), although some research directors work from other defence sites across the country. This is clearly a sub-optimal solution if the organisation is to function at maximum effectiveness. Recruiting new staff has also been hampered by the lack of sufficient accommodation at a single site. There is therefore a strong business case for collocating all staff in the organisation in one location.
	Following an extensive review, the existing Ministry of Defence site at Shrivenham has been identified as the most suitable to collocate the RAO, both from a cost-effectiveness perspective but also driven by the requirement for the new organisation effectively to interface with its many customers. Close contact with the Defence Academy at Shrivenham will also be of mutual benefit. Consultation with the trade unions on this proposal has now been concluded and no concerns were raised. Ministers have therefore agreed that the move to Shrivenham should take place and it is our aim to commence the move by September this year and that full collocation will be completed by March 2004.

Broadband

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they concur with the view expressed by David Edmonds, director general of Oftel, that the United Kingdom has the most competitive broadband market in the world (Trade and Industry Select Committee, 4 February 2003); and, if so, on what criteria their assessment is based.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The UK online annual report 2002 contained the most recent assessment that the Government have made. This assessment was that at end August 2002 we were fourth in the G7 for competitiveness. The metrics used were developed with the broadband stakeholder group and include indicators of price, choice and the regulatory environment.
	The assessment of competition in a market is a complex judgment. But by many measures, the UK is among the most competitive broadband markets in the world. As David Edmonds said, there are over 100 service providers using BT's wholesale products to provide services to consumers. In doing so, they face fierce competition from the cable companies. As a result, BT faces much more competition than incumbent operators in other major markets. Whereas BT's share of the retail broadband market is just over 20 per cent, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom and Telecom Italia have 90 per cent, 80 per cent and 75 per cent of the German, French and Italian retail markets respectively.
	In terms of price, Oftel's latest benchmarking report (December 2002) showed that prices for residential customers in the UK were similar to prices in the US and Germany and cheaper than in France. Only in Sweden were prices lower than in the UK. For basic business services, the UK was cheaper than all the other countries considered.

Mathematics Education

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to set up a national academy of teachers of mathematics as proposed by the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The department is currently considering the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education in its first Report Continuing Professional Development for teachers of mathematics published in December 2002.

Learndirect

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the cost per head of providing courses arranged through learndirect.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Ufi forecasts that the cost of a learndirect course in the 2002–03 financial year will be approximately £210. Ufi assumes that each learner takes just over two learndirect courses, which gives an average cost per head figure of around £485. These figures combine the funding available from the LSC and DfES.

Connexions

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 25 February (WA 29), how many mentors under the Connexions system have been subject to completed criminal records checks.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Although Connexions partnerships provide us with the numbers of personal advisers they have recruited, they are not required to provide data on the numbers who have been subject to List 99 and Criminal Records Bureau checks. To do so would serve no purpose as it is a legal requirement for employers to ensure that personal advisers have been subjected to completed List 99 checks before they can come into direct contact with young people. Collecting information on the numbers checked would only serve to place an unnecessary burden on partnerships.

Connexions

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the contact between a mentor under the Connexions system and a pupil can take place out of school hours.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: It can. In a Connexions one stop shop, a community venue or via the Internet or telephone in those areas covered by the Connexions Direct pilot.

Connexions

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 25 February (WA 29), which institutions provide the courses Understanding Connexions and the Diploma for Connexions Personal Advisers, and what was the length of each course in weeks.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The national training programmes for Connexions personal advisers are Understanding Connexions or the Diploma for Connexions Personal Advisers. Both programmes are accredited by universities and they are delivered by the following 21 institutions:
	The College of St Mark and St John (accredited by The University of Exeter); Nottingham Trent University; Canterbury Christchurch University College; St Martins College (accredited by Lancaster University); South Bank University; University of the West of England; University of Lincoln; University of Huddersfield; University of Luton; Young at Now (accredited by Nottingham Trent University); Havering College (accredited by University of East London); Liverpool City of Learning (accredited by Liverpool John Moores University); the College of West Anglia (Nottingham Trent University); DeMontfort University; Manchester Metropolitan University; Lifetime Careers—Bolton, Bury and Rochdale (accredited by Nottingham Trent University); University of Sunderland; University of Central Lancashire; Brunel University; Connexions Black Country (accredited by the University of Birmingham); Anglia Polytechnic University.
	Understanding Connexions is predominantly a workbased learning programme equivalent to approximately 150 hours of learning. It includes five days of live training and a half-day action learning set. The current Diploma for Connexions Personal Advisers is delivered over approximately 10 months. It is a distance and reflective learning programme equivalent to 800 hours of learning and includes 17 days of live training. Successful completion gains points in the Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (15 points for Understanding Connexions and 80 points for the current Diploma for Connexions Personal Advisers).

NHS Trusts: Standards

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (WA 42), whether they will name (a) the 2 per cent of National Health Service trusts which have wards which do not meet the single sex accommodation standards; (b) the 5 per cent of National Health Service trusts which do not meet the additional safety requirements for mentally ill patients; and (c) the 7 per cent of trusts which do not meet the standard for separate lavatory and washing facilities.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have no plans to publish the names of trusts which have or have not met the target.
	I refer the noble Baroness to the Answer I gave my noble friend Lord Williams of Elvel on 14 January (WA 42).

Passive Smoking

Baroness Gale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they consider appropriate to ensure protection against passive smoking in public places.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We consider that if we are to ensure protection against passive smoking in public places, we need action nationally and locally both to raise awareness of the risks associated with passive smoking and to increase the prevalence of smoke-free environments. The Department of Health will continue to encourage the development of smoke-free policies, working with employers and communities.
	At a national level the Department of Health has, since 1998, worked with the hospitality industry to reduce the problem of exposure to passive smoking through the development of a public places charter. The charter commits signatories to increase the provision of facilities for non-smokers, improving ventilation and giving customers better information about the level of smoke-free facilities in an establishment. An independent evaluation of the charter is being commissioned and further work will be considered on the basis of the findings.
	Locally, the department is funding tobacco control alliances across England to work in communities to raise awareness and to increase the number of smoke-free environments. Findings from these projects will inform future development of the department's work in this area.
	The Department of Health will, in addition to action already under way, develop education and information resources to raise awareness and understanding of the risks associated with passive smoking.

Health Protection Agency

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will decide the funding allocation for the Health Protection Agency to be set up on 1 April.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Secretary of State for Health has confirmed the overall funding envelope for the Health Protection Agency, Public Health Laboratory Service and the central support for microbiological diagnostic work (carried out by those laboratories transferring to National Health Service trust management). The total sum (in round numbers) is £104 million revenue and £10 million capital.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will reconsider the practice of ovarian hyperstimulation in infertility treatment following the recent death of a 33 year-old in vitro fertilisation patient in Dublin.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: During in vitro fertilisation treatment a patient's ovaries are stimulated to ensure that sufficient eggs are collected to allow one or two embryos to be placed in that patient at a later stage in her treatment. The drugs prescribed to the patient to achieve this are a matter for her clinician, using his or her professional judgment on the suitable dosage, taking account of guidance issued by professional bodies such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
	Every care is taken by clinics to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Where clinics are licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the authority requires that the patient information clearly sets out the risks and symptoms of OHSS. Clinics must also provide patients with 24-hour contact telephone numbers so that any patient who is concerned she may have symptoms of OHSS can obtain immediate advice and help.
	The HFEA has no plans, at this time, to issue guidance on the use of ovarian stimulation.

Mattresses: Medical Devices Regulations 2002

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether mattresses marketed for sale in the United Kingdom as medical devices which contain viscoelastic foam, which has not been combustion-modified to meet United Kingdom regulations, should be labelled accordingly.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No. Mattresses placed on the market as medical devices must meet the relevant provisions of the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, which include flammability requirements and general labelling requirements to enable the product to be used safely.

P C and S v The United Kingdom

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What guidance they propose to issue to social services departments of local authorities in the light of the judgment delivered by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of P C and S v The United Kingdom.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government received the judgment delivered by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of P C and S v United Kingdom in July last year. The court did not find any Department of Health legislation or guidance to be in breach of the convention. The department is ensuring that this judgment is kept carefully in mind as it develops the guidance necessary to implement the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

Multiple Sclerosis: Beta Interferon

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimates they have made as to the number of patients with multiple sclerosis who have been treated using beta interferon as a result of the risk sharing scheme announced in February 2002; and
	How many patients in England are currently on waiting lists for treatment with beta interferon for multiple sclerosis; and
	How many patient care trusts have still to implement in whole or in part the risk sharing scheme for beta interferon.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We estimate that around 4,600 patients are now receiving treatment with a disease-modifying drug for their multiple sclerosis. Around 2,800 patients were receiving treatment at the start of 2002. We do not have information about numbers waiting to be assessed. We do not hold precise details about the way in which primary care trusts are implementing the scheme, but strategic health authorities have been asked to ensure that they have robust arrangements in place to meet their statutory responsibilities.

Coronary Heart Disease: Drug Eluting Stents

Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How patients with coronary heart disease can obtain treatment with drug eluting stents ahead of the appraisal from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, given that evidence is available on their clinical efficacy.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Primary care trusts as local commissioners of services decide in consultation with local acute trusts and clinicians what services and treatment to provide for their local population. Individual patients should discuss their treatment options with their consultant.
	The absence of guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence does not prevent the National Health Service using new drugs or technologies. Standing guidance to the NHS states specifically that clinicians should not wait for NICE guidance but should in the interim period make a local decision about whether to fund a particular intervention on the basis of the available published information.

Crisis: Public Information

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they have made with the media, and in particular the BBC, for the public to receive information in the case of emergency situations.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Standing arrangements are in place with broadcasters to convey information to the public in a time of crisis. Complementing these arrangements, the BBC, with the support of the National Steering Committee on Warning and Informing the Public (NSCWIP), recently publised Connecting in a Crisis, which advises local broadcasters and emergency planning communities on the development of effective local relationships.
	A working party established early in 2002 by the Media Emergency Forum (MEF) to review the arrangements for keeping the public informed through the media in the event of a major emergency or crisis reported to Ministers in July 2002.
	The working party report and Connecting in a Crisis are available on www.ukresilience.info.
	In addition, the National Attack Warning System draws extensively on the support of the BBC network. This arrangement enables government to issue public information at very short notice in the most extreme situations.

Northern Ireland Arts Council Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of Northern Ireland Arts Council funding allocations announced on 25 February went to Irish groups and how much to Ulster Scots groups.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Of the funding allocations announced by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland on 25 February, 3 per cent went to Irish language oganisations and 1 per cent to Ulster Scots organisations. There were no rejections in either sector: all applications received were funded.

Northern Ireland Arts Council Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why in the press release from the Northern Ireland Arts Council announcing funding applications of 25 February Altnaveigh House Cultural Society is listed under "Derry City"; and why it is not called Londonderry City.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland in its press release of 25 February listed a number of grant recipients under "Derry City". The heading should have read "Derry City Council area". The council regrets this error and has undertaken to ensure that it is not repeated in future.
	The council also regrets listing Altnaveigh House Cultural Society under this heading as it is in fact located in Newry and Mourne District Council area.